Revenge of Innocents

by Nancy Taylor Rosenberg

Book Overview

Probation officer Carolyn Sullivan confronts the brutal death of her best friend and the dark mystery that surrounds it. Carolyn knew everything about Veronica Campbell. She knew about the case of murder and retribution that haunted her life and career. And about her stormy relationship with her husband Drew.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0758213034
• ISBN13: 9780758213037
• Release Date: January 2007
• Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corporation
• Length: 323 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.5" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Continued success!

If you've read any other Nancy Taylor Rosenberg books, you'll love this one as well. It picks up where her last one ends and the suspense is non-stop. There's no figuring it out until the very end. Enjoy!

Revenge of Innocents

Another great story by Nancy Taylor Rosenberg. Haven't read her in a while and it takes right off where she left off the last time. I had no trouble just continiung on.

AUTHENTICITY AND AUTHORITY IN THIS STORY

Nancy Taylor Rosenberg proved her writing chops with her first novel in 1993 and has continued to enthrall readers with such bestsellers as Sullivan's Law, First Offense, Abuse of Power, etc. With Revenge of Innocents, the fourth in her popular Sullivan series, she again uses her experience as a police and probation officer to bring both authenticity and authority to her story. Some of this authenticity is shocking as we read the opening chapter with its description of a young girl being savagely beaten. From the maniacal cruelty of that event we swiftly move to protagonist Carolyn Sullivan. For her, all is right with the world. She's engaged to be married in just a few weeks to Marcus, a wonderful man. Her two children are doing well, and she's at the top of her field professionally. A probation officer she is now division manager at the Ventura County, California government office. There is one small problem in her life - she's been so busy that she hasn't had much time to spend with her best friend, Veronica Campbell. Carolyn's almost too busy to notice the dark circles under her friend's eyes. She knows Veronica's 17-year-old daughter, Jude, has been a real problem and she's also aware that Veronica and her husband, Drew, have a rough time making ends meet. What she doesn't know is that Veronica will soon be shot, her body found in a motel bathtub. As if that is not shock enough when Carolyn returns to her office she is given an envelope with her name on it. The message inside is brief but terrifying: "I know your son goes to MIT. I know your daughter goes to Ventura High. I know you no longer live at the same house. I know Marcus, the man you are going to marry. Keep your nose out of this, or I will kill them all. Then I will kill you." This is obviously from someone who knows her and does not want her looking into Veronica's death. But, who and how can she keep those she loves safe? Of course, Carolyn is determined to find Veronica's murderer but as the investigation continues she is appalled to discover how little she really knew about her childhood friend. One more page turner from the prolific Rosenberg who vivifies her story with the day to day details of a criminal investigation and due processes of law. - Gail Cooke

a terrific tale

Sullivan should be euphoric as she gets married in two weeks and her two kids support the upcoming nuptials. Instead she is depressed as the ugly cases keep on coming. Now her best friend Veronica Campbell rips her skin for recommending a jail sentence for Brent Dover for sodomizing and beating up Patricia Baxter, who actually is Patrick Baxter. Veronica makes a strong counter argument, but the brain damage suffered from the battering makes a stronger case. Not long after they agree to disagree Ventura Police Lieutenant Hank Sawyer informs Carolyn that a maid at the East Thompson Motor Inn found the murdered body of Veronica; she was shot in the head. Ready to put her wedding on hold, Carolyn wants the culprit caught, tried, and executed even as the cops believe a suicide occurred. However, she soon finds her pal since grade school fronted a dysfunctional family with darks secrets that tear further at Carolyn's soul as she wonders how she failed to see the now obvious signs of a troubled person who probably killed herself. The fourth Sullivan legal thriller (and first without the heroine's name in the title) is a terrific tale. The prime case is personalized further by Carolyn as she wants more than just justice. However, as the truth about Veronica and her family surfaces, Carolyn tears into herself wondering how she, an investigator, failed her friend so badly by missing what now seems so obvious. Readers will devour this excellent one sitting entry as Carolyn begins to believe her friend may have committed suicide. Harriet Klausner